Tire inflation



Oct. 8, 1940. E. M. MORLEY 2,217,238

TIRE INFLATION Filed April 30, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I :l 1 I H |l|| HH IH'T ml Q 'I I WI g 7 45 I 16/ 20 30 +0 50 In 47 J m g5; 0 5 if .97

gmwmtoz Oct. 8, 1940. 5 MORLEY 2,217,288

TIRE INFLATION Filed April 50, 1928 "2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .TIRE INFLATION Earl Morley, Delta, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignfinents, to himself and W. Stanley arro Application April 30, 1928, Serial No. 274,107

7 Claims. 50-11) This invention relates to fluid delivery apwork back to the chamber 5. However, the reparatus. moval of plug l9 occasionally may permit check- This invention has utility when incorporated ing up as to the condition of this chamber l2. in tire inflation equipment, more particularly as The port I! is in communication with way 20 adjustable for predetermined back pressure auin which are assembled aplurality of fibrous 5 tornatic cut off. disks 2| jambedinto more or less compacted re- Referring to the drawings: lation by closure plug 22. 'There is thus pro- Fig. 1 is an embodiment, with parts broken vided an effective filter against entrained paraway, of an installation for tire inflation; ticles passing from the housing I2,. so that duct Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale 23 therefrom may beacontinuation of the supply, 10

in vertical section of the valve and by-pass beduct 4, l0.

tween the supply and delivery ducts as the con- This supply duct 23 rising in the tower l4 trol herein; extends up into casing 24 mounted on this tower Fig. 3 is a section on the line III-III, Fig. 2; l4 and there enters housing 25. From this supply Fig. 4 is a detail view, partially in section, of duct 23 there is port 26 into valve chamber 21 15 the water trap chamber from the supply duct; in the housing 25. Between this chamber 21 Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V, Fig. 4, and chamber 28 is plug 29 providing port 30 looking in the direction of the arrow; having seat 3| toward the chamber 21 as the Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the device of supply duct side of this valve device. Needle Fig. 2, with the housing shown in section; valve 32 carried by closure plug 33 is urged into 20 Fig. '7 is' a section on the line VII-VII, Fig. 6, seating relation with this seat 3| of the port 30 looking in the direction of the arrow; by helical compression spring 34 about stud 35 Fig. 8 is an elevation of the apparatus from on the closure plug 33. The spring 34 hereunder the right of Fig. 2; is a force tending normally to thrust the plug 33 Fig. 9 is a detail view, in side elevation, of to have the needle valve 32 seat at the port 3|. the secondary chamber in the supply line, here- The supply duct pressure into chamber 21 acts on in shown as a filter chamber; the shoulder of the plug 33 to unseat this valve Fig. 10 is a. section on the line X-X, 'Fig. 9, 32 when. the spring 34 is not supplemented by on an enlarged scale; sufilcient pressure. Accordingly on delivery Fig. 11 is a section on the line XI-XI, Fig. pressure drop the supply duct pressure unseats 10; and v the plunger 33 for pressure replenishment in the Fig. 12 is a partial section on an enlarged pulsation operation hereunder. Adjustable nut scale on the line XII-XII, Fig. 2. 36 may be operated to determine the compression Motor compressor I is shown as connected for of the spring 34 and thus vary the seating action placing air under pressure in reservoir 2. Valve of the plug 33. However, the principal purpose 35 3 at this reservoir 2 permits flow of pressure air of this nut 36 is that it is removable so that by line 4 into chamber 5. This chamber 5 is access may be had to the valve for not only reshown as provided with baffie 6. From its lower moving the plug 33 but to check up as to the portion there is port I to which is connected conditions of the seat 3| and needle 32, andv pipe 8 having valve 9 which may be opened as a permit replacement as such may be desired. 40 blow off of condensation, whether oil or water, This plug 33 acts as a piston to the chamber 21. as accumulating in this expansion chamber 5. With the valve open as brought about by pres- From this chamber 5 extends duct l0 as a sure through the port 30 from the chamber 28 continuation of the supply duct 4. This duct acting to unseat the closure 33, supply pressure I0 extends to port II in the lower portion of air from the duct 23 may pass through the cham- 4., expansion chamber I2, herein shown as mounted ber 28 for flow into delivery duct 3'! herein by bolts IS in standard M as a tower. This housshown as extending downward through the tower ing I2 is shown as provided with a plurality of Hi thence upward in tower 38 to head 39 carhorizontally extending baiiles l5 providing a rying rocking lever 40 as a continuation of the tortuous way l6 from which there is upper outlet duct 31 with flexible line 4| therefrom retrieved 50 port I! and lower port |8 normally closed by by counter-weights 42 on the lever 40. This plug 9. This expansion chamber |2 from the flexible duct 4| terminates in valve 43 normalduct l0 may be a secondary accumulation rely closed except as unseated by being applied ceiver for precipitated or condensation material, to tire valve 44 for inflating pneumatic tire 45 although such as liquid in the layout should on motor vehicle 46. 55

With this pressure air supplied from the duct 23 into the chamber 28, such herein hascommunication to the chamber 21 on the sideof the piston 33 in the region of the spring 34, such communication being by a controller or by-pass herein, in addition to the slow leakage past the piston 33 lfrom the high pressure supply duct 23. The unseating action of this piston is efiected by pressure from the duct 26 against this piston 33 at the region of the seat 3|. This by-pass communicatioh from the chamber 28 to the chamber 21 is by ways 41, 48, to chamber 49 in the housing 25. From this chamber 49 there is minor chamber50 with ways 5|, 52, therefrom to the chamber 21 on the side of the piston 33 remote from the port 30. This by-pass has in the chamber 50, plug 53 having therein plunger 54 normally urged by spring 55 into closed position by thrusting the plunger upward.

This housing 25 isanchored with the casing 24 by bolts 56. At the chamber 49, there is diaphragm 51 through which extends stem 58 anchored with the diaphragm 51 by nuts 59. This stem 58 upwardly extends through auxiliary housing portion 68 and there provides knife edge bearing 6| coacting with lever 62 adjacent fixed fulcrum knife edge bearing 63 carried by the casing portion 60. This lever 62 is herein shown as of scale beam character and has thereon bracket 64 for adjusting screw 65 operable to position counter-weight 66 along the scale beam or lever 62 into the desired neutralizing position for operation, and when so positioned, set screw 61 may hold this counter-weight 66 in the adjusted relation. 7

Additionally, for adjusting the action of this lever 62, there is weight 68 shiftable along graduations 69, herein shown as pounds of air pressure. Handle 16 exterior of the casing 24 is rotatable for actuating cable about guide rollers 12, 13, for having flights I4 coact with adjustable weight 68, thereby permitting location of this weight 68 along the scale beam 62 at a desired graduation 69 as disclosed through window 15. Any slack in the cable II is taken up by spring 16. The depression of the beam 62, as controlled by the adjustable weight 68 is limited by stop TI. The kick up of the beam 62, as actuated by the. stem 58, is limited by cushioning buffer 18 as a smoothing-out means for the device operation, thereby minimizing concussions from air blast action, thus being a material factor in contributing to the maintained accuracyof the instrument as well as its life in use.

In the chamber 49 there is located yoke 19 guided by pin 88 so that as the pressure in the chamber 49 falls say by opening the valve 43', or the pressure action on the lever 62 is such as to depress the stem 58, this stem 58 acts upon the yoke '|9 to cause overhang 8| carried by this yoke 19 to thrust plunger 54 in the plug 53 against the action of spring 55 into valve opening position, thus clearing the way for by-pass flow from the region of the spring 34 and ducts 52, 5|. The pressure to supplement the opening 34 to hold the piston 33 seated is thus reduced and the pressure at the chamber 21 unseats the piston 33 for supply of high pressure to the chamber 28, duct 31, and reverse air flow in the ducts 41, 48, chamber 49, and the ducts 5|, 52. It will be seen that during this brief interval .before this valve 54 closes due to rising of the beam 62 by pressure action in the chamber 49, the air flow in the by-pass from the chamber 28 to the side of the piston 33 supplements the action of the spring 34. It follows that the blast of air under pressure from the chamber 28 is effective in the chamber 49 as a gust of high pressure air through the by-pass in aid of the spring 34, thus shifting the plunger 33 into closing position at the port 3|. The pressure in the chamber 49 has then acted upon the diaphragm, 51 for lifting the plunger 58. This tilts the lever 62 thereby allowing the spring 55 to act for then closing the valve at the plug 53. This closing action with the high pressure air permits the operator as charging the pneumatic tire 45 to have this high pressure air, say two hundred fifty (250) pounds from the line 23, dissipated into the tire 45 until the pressure drops to the region adjustedby weight 68 on the beam 62. The beam then acts to depress the plunger 58 and again open the valve in the plug 53. There is thus release of theair from the by-pass 5|, 52, to the chamber 49, and the side of the piston 33 toward the spring 34 is exposed to the lowered pressure air.

The high pressureair, acting upon the opposite side of the piston 33 as the port 30 is closed, at once unseats this plunger 33 for a second gust or pulsation of the high pressure air into the chamber 28 as well as the chamber 49, effecting a lagging closing of the valve 53, 54, in the pulsation operation of this device. As the tire 45 is inflated and the valve 43 is thus closed when removed from the tire valve 44,

' there is a normal position of rest "for the lever 62 which is upon the cushion 18 with the valve 53, 54, closed and this trapped pressure from the chamber 28 holds the piston 33 into closure position at the port 3| These gusts of air through the port 38 are of considerable volume and permit of rapid filling of even large truck tires and the delivery of air quickly even up to considerable pressures.

The pulsations are accordingly of considerable volume and the gusts accordingly have a tendency for severe action in rocking the lever 62. These rocking actions are smoothed out by the chambers 5, |2, as well as the cushion 18.

The pressure air from the receiver 2, due to its pulsating travel, has a tendency, in the high velocity flow intervals, as alternating with the intervals of rest, thus to progress and entrain objectionable solid material as well as liquid, were such pulsations uniform throughout a constant cross section of the duct 4, I0, 23. However, the chambers disturb such uniformity and promote a smoothing out of the flow as well as take care of the elimination of impurities which might be detrimental to pneumatic tires of of air in the chamber 28. This adjustment of the spring 86 is set so as to' hold the whistle closed except at the high pressure gusts of air.

These high pressure gusts of air in the chamber 28 and the pulsations overcome the holding action of the spring 86, thus lifting the piston 85 clear of the seat 88 so that spurts of this high pressure air may pass into duct 90 and through minute port 9| for blowing whistle 92 as an audible signal to the operator filling the tire 45. While observation of the lever 62 may be had for the initial adjustment of the weight 68, the

amazes operator may, out of view of this instrument and event independent of feeling the pulsations in the duct 4|, have audible signal of the whistle as to the continuation in the tire charging operation, so that when the whistle discontinues and accordingly'the pulsations are past, the operator may realize that the tire is fully charged and the filling operation may proceed to other tires or such course as may be elected to follow.

Inthe operation hereunder, it is.applicants experience that delivery of the tire filling air in quantity, quickly, and still within the range of adjustment may be obtained in pulsating delivery wherein the valve condition is not one approaching equilibrium at any position of flow. In other words, the valve is a stable one in closed position and unstable in its open positions, thus rendering the open positions susceptible at all times to discontinuance of pulsating operation. This is a sort of quick throw or snap controller, herein shown as pneumatic by-pass.

For common subject-matter, this case is a continuation in part of my co-pending application S. N. 186,277, filed April 25, 1927, resulting in Patent 1,736,274, of Nov. 19, 1929.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, a port therebetween, a pulsating closure for the port, a controller adapted to effect pulsating delivery by throwing said closure between open and closed positions, a by-pass included in said controller, said closure being positioned between the ends of saidby-pass, a cut-off valve in said by-pass, an automatically rockable lever for closing said valve, and a cushion bufier for the lever.

2. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, a port therebetween, a pulsating closure for the port, a controller adapted to effect pulsating delivery by throwing saidclosure between open and closed positions, a by-pass included in said controller, said closure being positioned between the ends of said by-pass, a self-closing valve in said by-pass, and a rockable lever coacting for opening said valve.

3. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, a port therebetween, a pulsating closure for the port, a delivery duct pressure controller, a controller adapted to effect pulsating delivery by throwing said closure between open and closed positions, a by-pass included in said controller, said closure being positioned between the ends of said by-pass, a cut-ofl valve in said by-pass,

88 a rockable lever having an idle position with said valve closing on delivery duct pressure rise, a supply reservoir for the supply duct, and pulsation velocity checking means in said supply duct.

4. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, a port therebetween, a spring seated valve movable into closed position at said port from the supply duct side, and a controller adapted to effect pulsating delivery by throwing said valve between open and closed positions, a bypass included in said controller, said valve being positioned between the ends of said by-pass, a lever, and means for adjusting the loading of said lever to vary the back pressure control for automatic discontinuance of said pulsation-s.

5. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, a port therebetween, a spring seated valve movable into closed position at said port from the supply duct side, and a controller adapted to effect pulsating delivery by throwing said valve between open and closed positions, a bypass included in said controller, said valve being positioned between the ends of said by-pass, a lever, a. member movable in one direction by the lever, and a spring acting upon the member against lever operation of the member for positioning the member for lever succeeding operation.

6. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, 8. port therebetween, a spring seated valve movable into closed position at said port from the supply duct side, and a controller adapted to eflect pulsating delivery by throwing said valve between open and closed positions, a bypass included in said controller, said valve being positioned between the ends of said by-pass, a lever, a valve member movable in one direction by the lever, and a spring acting upon the member against lever operation of the member for positioning the member for lever succeeding operation by normally holding the valve closed.

'7. A housing having a supply duct, a delivery duct, a port therebetween, a spring seated valve movable into closed position at said port from the supply duct side, and a controller adapted to efiect pulsating delivery by throwing said valve between open and closed positions, a bypass included in said controller, said valve being positioned between the ends of said by-pass, a lever, a diaphragm exposed to delivery pressure, a lever responsive to said diaphragm movement, and means for adjusting the loading of said lever to vary the back pressure control for automatic discontinuance of said pulsations.

EARL M. MORLEY. 

